People

My Job

Magda Abou-Seada
Senior Teaching Fellow
Department of Accounting,
Finance and Management

What are your main duties?
My main duties are teaching and admin. I currently teach Introduction to Accounting and Finance to year one, Financial Reporting and Analysis and Management Accounting II to year two, and Auditing to year three. I also supervise MSc students and have accepted supervision of two PhD students who are expected to join the University in September 2007.

In terms of admin duties, I’ve just started my role as third-year Undergraduate Director and from September I’ll take on the role of Director of Undergraduate Studies. This is a big admin role as it’s mainly related to students and how they view and benefit from the services provided by the Department of Accounting, Finance and Management.

I also do some research which I believe complements teaching. I have already published a research monograph and two papers in academic journals. I also presented a number of papers at national and international conferences.

What is your busiest time of year and why?
There are many busy times during the year. September is usually a busy time preparing teaching materials. December/January is busy with the preparation of exam papers. It could take a lot of time and effort to set an exam paper especially with numerical/practical questions. May/June is also a very busy time. This is marking time, which is very stressful for me.

How long have you worked at the University?
I joined the University in September 2006.

Where (if anywhere) did you work before joining the University and why did you leave?
I worked as a Senior Lecturer at Middlesex University in London. I have to say that I enjoyed working there but it was very tiring for me as I live in Colchester and had to commute to work. The journey took about two hours each way provided nothing went wrong with the trains, which was not always the case. I miss Liverpool Street Station though! I used to do some shopping whenever my train was delayed. My husband wasn’t very pleased about this!

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy teaching and working with students. I’ve been working in academia since 1988 and have always enjoyed teaching to students and don’t imagine I can do another job.

What do you like about working at the University?
I like the flexibility in terms of working hours and the variation in working days. Some days are for teaching and office hours, others for meetings and admin work, and some days for research and staff development activities.

What do you dislike about working at the University?
I don’t enjoy meetings very much. Some meetings last for over three hours which is very tiring.

What facilities on campus do you make use of, e.g. sports facilities, social venues etc?
I’ve always said that when I join the University I’d go to the Sports Centre, but this hasn’t happened yet. I’ve visited most of the restaurants and cafes on campus. We are a very social group and like to go for lunch or coffee whenever we have time. On Wednesdays during term time we have seminars given by external or internal speakers, and it’s now become a tradition that we go to the Blues café for tea and cake after the seminar.

What has been your biggest work-related challenge this year and how did you solve it?
Nothing yet but I expect some challenges next year when I take on the role of Director of Undergraduate Studies. The Head of Department told me that he’d be looking for initiatives that will improve the student experience.

What would you change about the University if you were Vice-Chancellor for a day?
Room numbering. I manage to find my way round the campus but sometimes it can be a challenging task!

Whereabouts is your office and what is it like?
My office is on level four in the AFM building. It’s a good sized office but being on level four it’s not very bright. Well I can’t complain, at least I’m lucky to have an office in the AFM building. The Department is growing in size and some of my colleagues don’t have offices in this building.

If you were to enrol as a student at the University, what would you study and why?
I’ve always wanted to study architecture but don’t know how I ended up doing an accounting degree instead. I did actually apply to study for a degree in architecture and was offered a place but changed my mind in the last minute. I don’t regret it but perhaps if time were to go back I’d study architecture. I enjoy all aspects of building design and making best use of space. The University of Essex does not, however, offer a degree in architecture!

Describe a typical day at work.
Not every day is the same, which is one of the good things about my job. On a day when I have office hours and teaching the first thing I do is make sure my Powerpoint slides are okay and do any last minute preparation. I would then check my e-mails. Before my office hours I like to make a cup of tea or go with my colleagues to the Blues Café. Sometimes my office hours are very busy with students especially when a coursework deadline is approaching. Most of my teaching this year was in the afternoon, so after teaching I just finish off any paperwork that I have and then go home.

Does your job take you off campus much and if so where to?
I can work from home if I don’t have teaching or other commitments on campus. I prefer to work at home when I prepare my teaching materials and when I work on my research.

Sometimes I have to be off campus to do empirical work related to my research like interviewing people at their work places. I also attend conferences almost every year, which could be in the UK or abroad.

What other job in the University would you like, and why?
Perhaps not a job, but I’d love to be a student again. This was the best time in my life. My son doesn’t believe me when I say so, but it’s true.

How long does your journey to work take?
About 10 minutes driving, but parking could be a problem if I arrive after 9.30 in the morning.

Who would you most like a one to one with, and why?
I’d like to meet Trevor MacDonald. I think he’s a great presenter. Not sure what I’d ask him but I would like to meet him face-to-face.

Do you have a claim to fame? E.g did you go to school with someone famous, have you ever appeared on television etc?
My Masters viva was recorded by an Egyptian TV channel. I’m not sure if it was broadcast or not as I’ve never seen it on TV!